Road grader



March 2, 1937. R. w. KEELER ROAD GRADER 5 4Sheets-Sheet 1v Filed Aug. 8, 1933 VEN TOR: Raymond W Kee/eff BY @Kanz 7W I ATTY March 2, 1937.

R. w. KEELR ROAD GRADER Filed Aug.- s, 195s EIL?. 3

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VEN To R: Raymond W Kee/ef,-

BY @Za/g 774.71m,

ATT'Y March 2, 1937. R. w. KEELE'R 2,072,111

ROAD GRADER Filed Aug. 8, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 C Y /e T .QW 1 mw L MMW Vm W mm D@ E C M w M f o ,2l Qliw J/ L 2 w 1 r Q.. O

March 2, 1937. R. w. KEELER ROAD GRADER 5 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Aug. 8, 1933 I /NVENTOR- Raymond VV. fee/e'fl MIN,

ATT'Y March 2, 1937. R. w. KEELER 2,072,111

ROAD GRADER Filed Aug. 8, 193s 5 sheets-sheet 5 ar.. 2 i937 Patented STATES Zll T GFFICE ROAD GRADER Raymond W. Keeler, Galion, Ohio, assignor to The Galion Iron Works and Manufacturing Company, a corporation of )hio Application August 8, 1933, Serial No. 684,183

21 Claims.

larly of thefcrawler type, to the frame of a road.

grader, but it should be understood that such tractor unit may be of other types and the invention may have a general application.

Another object of the invention is the provision of extensible hanger mechanism between the frame of a vehicle and the front end of a `power plant pivoted to the frame for vertical oscillation relatively thereto.

A further object of the invention is provision of shock absorbing mechanism between the frame of a vehicle and the front end of an engine mounted on cushioning springs and connected to such frame to have limited movements laterally relatively thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for flexibly mounting an engine longitudinal movements .relatively 'thereto on` transverse and longitudinal axes by providing yielding supports greatly restricting the lateral movement and by providing additional yielding supports which permit a relatively wide range of movements of said engine relatively to said frame on the transverse axis.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved mechanism for mounting a tractor unit for vertical oscillation on a transverse axis in a vehicle framewhich has lateral oscillation on a longitudinal axis at its forward end so that whenone side of the'tractor unit rides over a hillock or into a depression the tractor unit may oscillate vertically on its own transverse axis and may oscillate laterally with the vehicle frame von said longitudinal axis.

More particularly it is the object of the present vinvention to provide elongated telescopic hangers for suspending from an upwardly bowed frame ci a road grader the iront end of a tractor unit of the crawler or other type which is free to have a vertical oscillation relative tothe frame to the extent permitted by shock4 absorbing springs in the hangers.

Other objects of the invention will appear here inafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in thc appended claims.

(on. iso- 1) An embodiment of my invention is illustrated in c the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 placed end to end constitute an elevation of a road grader including the features of my invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the forward end o f the vehicle frame to show the for- `ward longitudinal axis for limited lateral oscillation of the frame; l

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a detail of construction, taken on the line 4--4 oi Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of a portion of the strucy ture shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a. side elevation of the rear portion of the structure shown in Fig. 5; Fig. I is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic operating mechanism shown in Figs. l, 2, 5 and 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional View through one of the valves for controlling the operation of the hydraulic motors; I

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal 'section through a relief valve used in the hydraulic controlling system;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional elevational View taken on the line IIJ-I0 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows to show in front elevation the spaced-apart elongated telescopic hangers between the upwardly bowed frame of the grader and the front end of the vertically oscillatable tractor unit of the crawler type;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one of the hangers to show the selfcentering shock-absorbing springs therein; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the structure pivotally connecting the crawler tractor unit to the vehicle irameto afford vertical oscillation of the tractor unit to the extent permitted by the resilient telescopic hangers. I

In the accompanying drawings the grader frame comprises two longitudinally extending, upwardly curved or bowed frame beams I3, I3 each of which is channel shaped in cross section as shown in Fig. 10. The front ends of these beams are converging and downwardly inclined as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6 and operatively supported upon the front steering wheels as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, by means of self-adjusting bolster mechanism.

The rear ends of the beams I3, I3 are horizontal and in a relativelylow horizontal plane as shown at I3, I3" in Figs. 1 and l0. Such horizontal rear ends of thegrader Aframe I3 are pivoted at.

tion and demountable for generall use separately the internal combustion engine designated generally 22. 'Ihe frame I3' also supports the platform 23 upon which the operator rides. The controls for the engine, for the steering mechanism and for the hydraulic adjusting apparatus, extend to the single station at the operators platform 23.

The main supporting frame comprising the spaced-apart side beams i3, I3 is a single rigid structure in that the beams I3, I3 are connected at intervals to each other, as for instance at two points, by transversely extending cylindrical hollow or tubular cross braces 24, 24' which are relatively large and rigid and welded to the beams I3, I 3. Pivotally connected at 25 to the forward CII ends of the converging and downwardly extending portions I3', I3 of the main supporting frame of the machine are the two rearwardly extending scarier arms 26. These arms carrythe'usual scarifier teeth 2l which may bel raised or lowered on the horizontal transverse axis at the pivots 25.

The drawbar 28 which supports the circle 29 and the vmoldboard 3U may be of any usual or suitable character and is plvotally supported at its forward end so that the rear end of the drawbar together with the circle and moldboard may be raised or lowered. Preferably the mounting of the drawbar is such that either end of the moldboard may be raised or lowered independently of theother end so that the moldboard may be disposed at an inclination to the horizontal transversely of the machine. Inasmuch as this ls also of well-known construction in road working machinery, I have not attempted to illustrate the same in detail. l

My invention relating to the vmeans whereby the scarifer may be raised and lowered and to the means whereby the moldboard may be raised or lowered either bodily or at one lside or the other, I have disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Serial Number 584,517, led January 2, 1932, for an improvement in Hydraulic lifting mechanism for road graders.` However, the road working machinery and the controlling apparatus therefor are herein disclosed to show the necessity of'the upwardly bowed portion of the main frame and to show the particular adaptation to such a frame of a demountable tractor unit by means of my improved mechanism which affords ample flexibility in actual operation over rough and irregular ground surfaces.

For the purpose of raising or lowering the scariiier a hydraulic motor comprising a cylinder 3l is disposed between the forward converging and downwardly inclined portions I3', I3 of the main frame, and approximately parallel to said portions. I The rear end of the cylinder 3| is pivoted at 32 to the cylindrical cross-brace 24 intermediate the ends of the latter as shown in Fig. 5. 'I'his hydraulic motor is connected by means f\ the piston 33 and piston rod 34 to the lower nd of .the arm 35 which in turn is secured to the transverse rockshaft 35 journaled in bearings 36, 36 mounted on the beams I3', I3'. Secured to the ends of the rockshaft 35 are rearwardly projecting crank arms 31, 31, the rear ends of which are connected by means of universal joints amari-i 5t, 38, to the upper ends ofthe hangers 39 the lower ends of which are connected by means of the universal joints d@ to the rear ends of the scarifier arms 26 and to the scarier frame 4I, as

A shown in Fig. 2. The scarier may be lifted or lowered and locked in adjusted positions by controlling the flow of liquid to and from the cylinder 3l.

While only one hydraulic motor is suffcient for operating the scarier it is desirable'to use two spaced-apart hydraulic motors comprising thecylinders 12, d2 for adjusting the moldboard. The cylinders 52, 742' are` pivoted at 43, Q33 to the transverse cylindrical cross-brace as shown in Fig. 5. By means of thepistons 44, M' and piston rods 45, G5 these hydraulic motors are operatively connected to the lower ends of the depending arms 16, flo which are secured to short shafts Ill, dl journaled in bearings 48, 48 mounted on the tops of the beams I3, I3. The outerends of the shafts lll, dll' are secured to the rearwardly extending crank arms 55, 5d'. The rear or outer ends of the crank arms are connected by means of universal joints 5I, 5I' to the upper ends of the hangers 52, 52', the lower ends of which are connected by means of the universal joints53, 53' to the rear end of the drawbar 28 at spaced-apart' points.

As is usual in graders the circle carrying the moldboard is rotatablein a horizontal plane when the ends of the hangers are at the same elevations on opposite sides of the machine, so that the moldboard 30 may be inclined invone direction or the other relative to the line of draft and held in such adjusted position during operation of the grader. This is common and well-known construction in graders and the means whereby it 'lsf accomplished needs no further disclosure nor is it deemed necessary to describe the means whereby the moldboard is tilted forwardly or rearwardly relatively to the road surface. y

It should be noted that the hydraulic motors comprising the cylinders 42 and 42 are independently controllable and therefore the hangers 52 and 52' may be separately and independently oper-ated to effect tilting c-f the moldboard to various degrees transversely to the line of draft.

For the purpose of supplying a pressure medium to the hydraulic motors I have provided a gear pump 54 at the front end of the frame 2l of the internal combustion engine 22 for operation thereby. Inasmuch as gear pumps of this character are well-known I have not vconsidered though it is preferred to connect the driving shaft of the gear pump to the crank shaft of the engine it should be understood that the gear pump may be driven from any other shaft of the power plant.

In Fig. 1 the gear pump is located near the lower edge of the radiator 55 at the center of the forward end of the engine frame 2|. vThis position is preferred to afford ample space for the exible pipe connections 55" and 56 which extend upwardly from the pump to the piping rigidly mounted on the main frame I3. Such flexible connections 55' and 56 afford freedom of vertical oscillating movements through a relatively wide range, of the forward end of the tractor unit.

The hollow or tubular cross-brace 24 constitutes the supply tank for the hydraulic pressure medium. As shown in Figs. 1 and 7 the pump 54 withdraws the liquid from the supply l tank 24 through the exible pipe connection through the pipes d, 52, d2.

aoraiii 55 and forces it through the other flexible pipe connection 55 into the piping system rigidly mounted on the frame i3 and connected to the vcylinders 3i, i2 and d2 of the hydraulic motors shown in Figs.` 5 and 7.

Each of the hydraulic motors comprising the cylinders 3i, 32, Q2' is controlled by a four-way valve such as that shown in section in Fig. 8. By referring to Fig. '7 it will be seen that the supply pipe 55 is connected through the pipe 56' to each of the valves 5l, 58, and 59. If the valve 51 is in the position shown in Fig. 8 the supply pressure will extend through. the pipe @d to the rear of the piston 3@ in the cylinder 3i and at the same time the liquid will iiow from the cylinder 3i ahead of the piston 3i through the pipe 5i into the return pipes G2, S2 into the supply tank 2li as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 7. By moving the valve 5l' ninety degrees from the position shown in Fig. 8 the piston 33 in the cylinder 3i may be moved in the opposite direction. Intermediate these two positionsthe valve 51 will be in closed position thereby locking the piston 33 in adjusted position and consequently the scariiier will be locked at adjusted elevation. A

The valves 58 and 59 being similar to the valve 5l the pistons ll, ld may be moved in opposite directions and locked in adjusted positions thereby lockingthe moldboard at adjusted elevation and inclination.

Preferably a relief by-pass valve t3 is connected by means of the i"-coupling 56" to the supply pipe 5S and by means of the pipe tl to the return pipe 62. When any one of the pistons 33. lid, fifi is moving the spring t5 holds the valve tt closed but when all of the valves 5l?, 53 and 59 are closed and the pump 5t continues to operate the pressure in the T-coupling 55" will be suiiicient to open the valve 56 against the action of the spring 55 and the liquid will by-pass Such by-passing will also take place when the pistons 33, till. fill reach the ends of their strokes and the valves 51, 58, 59 remain open. iThe relief valve 53 therefore protects the cylinders 3i d2, d2' against undue pressure but nevertheless pressure on the pistons is maintained if the operator should i'orget to close the valyes 51, 58, and 59 or any o'f them.

The valves 51, 58, 59 are provided with operating levers 61, 68, 69, respectively, as shown in Fig. '7, and these levers are connectedI by means of the long links 10, 1|, 12 to three separate and independent manually operable levers 13. 14, 15, as shown in Fig. 5. Each of these manual levers is mounted at the operators station as shown in Fig. 1. Each lever may beheld in any one of three positions corresponding toy the three positions of the valve to which it is connected. Such mechanism for holding the manual lever may be of well-known construction comprising a notched sector 15.

I have found that by placing the valves 51, E8, 59 immediately adjacent to the cylinders 3|, 42, 42', a very quick response is secured, whereas if the valves are disposed at the operator's station it wouldv take appreciably longer to build lup pressure in the longer system of piping than would be necessary.

The control of the Valves 51, 58, 59 requires but a minimum of exertion on the part of the operator at the single station at the rearend of the grader. His muscular exertion will be 4limited to rotating the shaft 16' to adjust the circle' 2@ relative to the drawbar 28, push and pull the rod ill (Fig. 2) to operate the circle latch mechanism le, and to operate the steering wheel i9. Consequently, his attention may be concentrated on the character of the road on which the grader is working to scrape away or iill irregularities.

By placing the cylinders 3i, t2, t2 in approximately horizontal positions between the longitudinal beams i3, i3, strength, rigidity, compactness andsimplicity of frame construction is secured and very rigid support for the cylinders is provided. With this arrangement a more powerful lifting effect can be obtained than from. vertically arranged hydraulic cylinders. By mounting the hydraulic cylinders at their rear ends upon the rigid transverse cross-braces 2d, 2li and connecting the piston rods to arms mounted upon transverse shafts which are rigidly supported on the beams i3, i3, the hydraulic cylinders, pistons, piston rods and the connections to the crank arms, are held rigidly in alinement with each other against inevitable shocks, jars and twisting strains which occur in practice. The stresses and strains to which .machines of` this character are subject tend to throw the hydraulic adjusting mechanism out of line and therefore cause wear and render operation diiiicult. This is entirely avoided by means of the construction disclosed because not only do the tubular cross-braces serve as supports for the rear ends of the hydraulic cylinders but by being welded to the beams i3, i3, serve to form a very rigid and strong grader supporting frame wherein the longitudinal .distortion is greatly minimized.

ln order to provide shock absorbing mechanism between the grader frame and the front end oi the demountable tractor unit I have provided elongated telescopic harige s d@ and 8i as shown in Fig. i pivoted respectively at their upper ends at 82, 83 on transverse horizontal axes, to the beams i3, i3, and pivoted at their lower ends at 84, 85 on transverse horizontal axes to the front end of the engine frame 22.

One of the shock-absorbing hangers is shown in enlarged section in Fig. ll as comprising a tube 8d intermediate the ends of which is slidably iitted the collar 8d which is secured at 86 t0 the rod 81. Within the tube 80 between the pivot pin 82 and the collar 84' is a compression spring .88 and between the lower side of the collar 84 and the cap plate 89 is another compression spring 90. The collar 84 in the tube 80' and the fit of the rod 81 in the hole at the center of the cap plate 89 may be relied'on to hold the tube and rod in rigid alinement whether the hanger is contracted or extended. Lubricating openings 90', 90 are provided midway between the ends of the tube 86.

The lower end of the rod 81 is provided with an eye 81 to t between ears 9l of the bracket plate 92 which is secured las by means of `Welding to the engine frame. The upper end of the tube 80' is located between the ears 93. 93 as shown -in Fig. 1l. The ears 93, 93 'may be secured by welding to the bottom of the tubular cross-brace 24' immediately inside of the beamsA i3, I3.

The construction of both the hangers 80 and 8| is the same as that illustrated in Fig. l1 and both-hangers are connected at their upper and and at right angles thereto or when such crawlers ride into a depression extending entirely across the road and at right angles thereto, the hangers 80, 8l by reason of the springs 8890 therein relieve the shock, and since the springsl are selfcentering the crawlers will be returned to normal and held there when the grader is traveling along a level road surface. The connections between the crawlers and the engine are such that 'the whole tractor unitincluding the crawlers are oscillated on the horizontal axis of the pivots l5 on the spaced-apart crawlers at the opposite sides of the unit. The elongated hangers 80 and 8l permit arelatively wide range of oscillating tiltying movement of the tractor unit on the pivots I5 when the crawlers ride over a hillock or into a depression in the road.

It should be understood that the engine 22 vis mounted on the leaf springs 2U on opposite sides of the tractor unit and these leaf springs are in turnv mounted on studs 2@ projecting inwardly from the tractor frames. 'I'he engine therefore has a limited vertical movement relative to the crawler frames on the axis of the engine transmissionshaft 94 which is connected to the crawler driving mechanism.

While it is desirable to rigidly connect the crawler frames by means of the cross bar i9 and mount the leaf springs 2U to reduce to a minimum the lateral movement of the engine relative to the crawler frames, a slight relative movement of this nature will occur when one crawler rides over an obstruction or into a depression while the, other crawler remains on the level. Slight lateral movement of the engine will take place under such conditions, relatively to the grader frame, but since the elongated shock absorbing hangers are spaced apart at opposite sides `of the front end of the engine one may be extended or contracted more than the other while at the same time taking care of the tilting of the whole tractor unit on the transverse axis l5.

' Furthermore, when one crawler rides over an obstruction or into a depression at one side of the road the whole grader frame may move laterally on a longitudinal horizontal axis at the forward end of the frame as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4' without interfering with the front wheel steering mechanism.

vA bolster 95 is secured to the front end of the grader frame andis provided with slots 96, 95 in a bifurcation fitting over the front axle. secured to the axle and extending forwardly and rearwardly therefrom ts in the slots 96, 96. The structure shown in FigspZ, 3 and 4 constitutes a pivoted bolster for permitting oscillation of the grader frame as a whole relatively to the axle Si on a general longitudinal axis. When traveling over a level surface the feet 99, 99 both rest on the top of the axle 91 but when the grader frame tilts laterally one of the feet is moved up until the pin 98 is engaged by the lower ends of the slots 96.

The bolster structure shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 is the same as that shown and claimed specifically in the Arndt Patent No. 1,684,302, granted September 11, 1928, for an Improvement in bolsters. As therein explained the front axle bolster rests at upon the axle and gives a very firm foundation or support 'to the grader frame whereby all chattering or wavy motion along the road is obviated while at the same time when the front end of the .grader is thrown to an extreme position as for example when it is run up on a bank or down into a ditch the front A pin 98v anfratti structure in giving the latter an additional duty to perform in that when the front wheels are on a level surface and one of the crawlers rides up on a boulder at one side of the road not only will the front end of the tractor unit compress the springs 9i! in the elongated hangers 8E, 8|, but the whole grader frame will tilt laterally on the bolster pivot 98 at the front end of the machine while the front axle remains horizontal and both front wheels remain on the road surface.

Furthermore, when one crawler strikes a. boulder on one side of the road lifting action is imparted through the leaf spring 2U to the engine frame 2l on the adjacent side of the tractor unit. At the same time the crawler at the other side of the tractor unit is moved upwardly by forces Yexerted through the cross bar i9 and the leaf spring on the opposite side of the tractor unit. There is therefore a small tilting movement of the crawler frame on the axis of the driving shaft 9&1 as permitted by the stiiT leaf springs 2li but there is only a slight lateral movement of the engine relative to the grader frame. To assist the connections between the tractor unit and the grader frame in preventing relative lateral movement the ends of the hangers and 8l are pivoted on transversely extending axes between spaced ears as shown in Fig. `10 and the hangers l themselves although extensible are braced against lateral bending by the collar 84 fitting in the tube 8U and by rod 81 fitting in the hole in the cap 8g.

. hereto appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a vehicle, the combination with a supporting frame, of a tractor unit pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis, spaced-apart vertical hangers depending from the sides of said frame and each comprising 'a rod guided into a tube, and exible connections between the upper ends of said hangers and said frame and between the lower ends of said hangers and the front portion of said tractor unit, said flexible connections being on horizontal vaxes permitting swinging of said hangers in planes extending longitudinallyof said frame and vertical movements` of the front end of said tractor unit relatively to said aovarri frame but restricting lateral movement oi such front end relatively to said frame.

2. In a road building machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a crawler tractor unit comprising an engine pivoted to said frame for oscillation relatively thereto on a horizontal axis, spaced-apart extensible yielding hangers for supporting from said frame opposite sides of the front portion of said engine, steering mechanismconnected to the front end of said frame,`

and a pivotal connection between the front end of said frame and said steering mechanism to afford oscillation of the tractor unit and the frame on a longitudinal axis.

3. In a road making machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a crawler tractor unit comprising a crawler frame and an engine mounted on said crawler frame, pivotal connections between opposite sides of the rear portion of said supporting frame and opposite sides of said crawler frame to permit said crawler tractor unit to oscillate vertically on a horizontal axis, spaced apart extensible resilient hangers connecting said supporting frame to the forward corners of said engine, steering mechanism at the front end of said supporting frame, and a pivot between said supporting frame and said steering mechanism on an axis extending longitudinally of said supporting frame to permit tilting of said supporting frame together with said crawler tractor unit on such longitudinal axis while said hangers permit vertical oscillation of the tractor unit onsaid horizontal axis when one side of the crawler tractor unit travels over an obstruction.

4. `In a road making machine, the combination with a main supporting frame, of front steering mechanism comprising aV transverse axle, a bolster connecting the front end of said frame to said axle for limited movement of said frame relatively to said axle on a longitudinal axis, a crawler tractor unit comprising an engine and a crawler frame pivoted to said main supporting frame for oscillation on a horizontal transverse axis, said crawler tractor unit being movable laterally with said main supporting frame, and spaced-apart elongated shock-absorbing devices betweensaidmain supporting frame and the front end of said engine.

5. A road-building machine comprising a supporting frame, a tractor unit pivoted thereto for movement relatively thereto on a horizontal axis, shock absorbing mechanism between said supporting frame and the front end of said tractor unit said shock absorbing mechanism comprising spaced-apa@ vertical tubes each with compression springs enclosd thereby with a rod connected to the tube for movement longitudinally relatively thereto, and means for pivotally connecting the tubes and the rods between the frame and the front end of the tractor unit on horizontal transverse axes to co-operate with the shock absorbers to limit lateral movement of the front end of the tractor unit relatively to said supporting frame while permitting a relatively wide rangeof vertical movement of the front end of the tractor unit relatively to said supporting frame.

6. In a. road working machine, the ,combination with a supporting frame, of a road-working implement mounted thereon, wheels for the front end of said frame, a power-driving tractor unit for pivotally supporting the rear end of said supporting .frame and for pushing the road-working implement along a roadway, spaced-apart elongated shock-absorbing devices between the frame and said tractor unit forwardly of the pivotal connection between said frame and said tractor unit, 'an axle for the front wheels, and a bolster connecting the front end of said frame to said axle for limited movement of said frame relatively to said axle on a. longitudinal axis.

7; In a road working machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of -front wheels at the forward end thereof, a tractor unit for pivotally supporting the rear end of said frame and for pushing the frame along a roadway, road-working mechanism carried by said frame, shock-absorbing mechanism forwardly of the pivotal connection'between said frame and said tractor unit for cushioning vertical oscillation of the forward end of the tractor unit relatively to said frame when the tractor unit travels over irregularities in the roadway and for yieldingly holding the forward end of the tractor unit for travel over a level roadway, an Aaxle for the front wheels, and means for connecting the front end of said frame and said axle for permitting said frame together with said tractor unit to move laterally relatively to said axle on a longitudinal axis while said wheels remain upon the roadway and one side of said tractor unit rides over an obstruction or depression in the road- 8. In a power-driven vehicle, the combination with a supporting frame, of front wheels, an axle for said wheels, a bolster connecting the front end of said frame to said axle for limited movement of said frame relatively to said axle on a longitudinal axis, a tractor unit comprising `a power plant, a pivotal connection on a transverse horizontal axis between said tractor unit and said frame rearwardly of the front end thereof to enable said tractor unit to push said frame with the front end thereof supported on said axle and said front wheels, and shock-absorbing mechanism between said frame and said tractor unit forwardly of said pivotal connection for cushioning vertical oscillation of said tractor unit on said horizontal axis and yieldingly holding said tractor unit in predetermined position relative to said frame on level ground.

9. In a power-driven vehicle, the combination with a supporting frame, of wheels for one portion of said frame, an axle for said wheels, a bolster connecting said frame to said axle for limited movement of said frame relatively to said axle on a longitudinal axis, a tractor unit comprising a power plant for supporting another portion of said frame, a pivotal connection on a transverse horizontal axis between said tractor unit and said frame, and shock absorbing mechanism between said frame and said tractor unit in spaced relation to said pivotal portion of said frame, a pivotal connection on a l transverse horizontal axis between said tractor unit and said frame, shock-absorbing mechanism connected between said tractor unit and said frame in spaced relation to said pivotal connection, an axle for said wheels, and a bolster connected between said frame and said axle for limited movement of said frame relatively to said axle, said tractor unit beingmovable laterv.ally with said supporting frame on a longitudinal axis as permitted by said bolster.

11. In a power-driven vehicle, the combination with a supporting frame, of wheels for a portion thereof, a tractor unit for another portion 4of said frame, a pivotal connection on a horizontal transverse axis between said tractor unit and said frame, an axle for said wheels, a bolter connected between said frame and said axle for limited movement'of said frame relatively to said axle on a longitudinal axis, and shock-absorbing mechanism between said tractor unit and said frame permitting vertical oscillation of said tractor unit on said horizontal axis relatively tosaid frame but restricting lateral movement of said tractor unit relatively to pivotal connection on a horizontal transverse axis between the rear end of said frame and said tractor unit, shock-absorbing mechanism spaced forwardly from saidv pivotal connection and connected between said tractorunit and said frame, steering mechanism for the front wheels, and means for operating said steering mechanism fromv the tractor unit control station.

. 13. In a power-driven vehicle, the combination with a supporting frame, of wheels for one portion thereof, a tractor unit for another portion 'of said frame, a pivotal connection on a transverse horizontal axis between said tractor unit and said frame, telescopic elongated shock-absorbing hangers between said frame and said tractor unit, mechanism connecting said hangers to said frame and tractor unit and adapted to co-act with said telescopic hangers to restrict lateral movement ofsaid tractor unit relatively to said frame, an axle for said wheels, and a bolster connecting said frame to said axle for limited movement of said frame and tractor unit relatively to said axle on a longitudinal axis, said tractor unit being movable laterally withb said supporting frame irrespective of the position of the forward end of said tractor unit relative to said frame. i

14. In a vehicle, the combination with a supporting frame, of an engine, propelling mechanism operatively connected to said engine,A means pivotally supporting said engine on the rear portion of said frame for free oscillation vertically of the forward end of saidl engine on a. horizontal axis, self-centering shock-absorbing mechanism suspended from said frame and connected to the front portion of said engine for yieldingly maintaining the engine in predetermined relation to 'said frame when the machine travels over horiof `said engine, said pivotal connections' com-` aos/'arri prising pairs of bracket plates to coniine such pivotal connections to horizontal transverse axes.

l5. In a road building machine, the combination with an open supporting frame comprising spaced-apart longitudinal beams having upwardly arched portions intermediate their ends, of steering mechanism comprising front steering wheels,

road-working mechanism carried beneath said nected to said power plant, spaced-apart hangers each comprising arod guided into a tube with two springs enclosed in each tube and associated with a collar between the springs and connected to the inner end of the rod, pivotal connections on transverse horizontal axes between the upper ends of said hangers vand the upwardly arched portions of said beams, and additional pivotal connections on horizontal transverse axes between the lower ends of said hangers and the front end portion of said power plant.

16. In a road working machine, the combination with a grader frame, of wheels for supporting one end of said frame, a tractor unit for supporting the other`end of said frame, means pivotally connecting said grader frame to said I tractor unit, said tractor unit including a motor supporting frame and traction wheel supporting frames, means including springs for resiliently connecting said traction wheel supporting frames to' said motor supporting frame, and spring means for connecting the forward end of said motor supporting frame to said grader frame, whereby restricted pivotal moveme t is provided between said tractor unit and sai grader frame.

17. In a road building machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a tractor unit pivoted to said frame at one end thereof for oscillation onv a transverse horizontal axis, spaced-apart yieldable hangers interconnected between said tractor .unit and said frame and constructed and arranged to provide a flexibley 1 tion with a supporting frame,'of a tractor unit pivoted to said frame at one end thereof for oscillation on a transverse horizontal axis, spacedapart yieldable hangers interconnected between said tractor unit and said frame and constructed and arranged to provide a flexible connection therebetween providing for limited pivotal movement about said transverse axis, steering and supporting mechanism connected to the other end of said frame, and pivotal connecting means between said other end of said frame and said steering and supporting mechanism constructed and arranged to aord relative oscillation therebetwee on'either one of a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending axes.

19. In a road working machine, the combination with a grader frame, of wheels for supporting one end of said frame, a tractor unit for supporting the other exid of said frame,l means connecting said tractor unit to said grader frame for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, said tractor unit including a motor supporting frame and traction means supporting frames, spring means for resiliently connecting said traction means supporting frames and said Lmotor supporting frame, and additional spring means for connecting the motor supporting frame to said grader frame.

2Q. In a road working machine, the combination with a grader frame, of steering wheel means for supporting the front end of said frame, a crawler type tractor unit for supporting the rear end of said frame, means connecting said tractor unit and said grader frame at the rear end of the latter for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, said tractor unit including a motor supporting frame and crawler Vsupporting frames, means including springs for resiliently connectingsaid motor supporting frame and said crawler supporting frames, and additional spring means connect-f ing said motor supporting frame to said grader frame.

21. In a road working machine, the combination with a grader frame comprising a pair of spaced longitudinally extending beams, of steering and supporting wheels, adjacent the front end of said frame, a crawler type tractor unit for supporting the rear end of said frame, means pivotally connecting the rear end of said grader frame to the rear end vof said tractor unit for relative pivotal movement on a transverse axis, said tractor unit comprising a motor frame anda pair of crawler supporting frames, spring means connecting said motor frame and said crawler supporting frames, and additional spring means connecting the front of said motorirame to said beams of said grader frame. v

, Y RAYMOND W. KEELER. 

